A. Some people who already receive certain types of
disability support will have automatic access to the NDIS. Those people will be
contacted directly by a Local Area Coordinator, who is employed by the National
Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), to start their planning journey. Other
people will need to complete an Access Request Form to be considered for the
scheme, which can be provided by the NDIA. You can contact them on 1800 800
110.

If you’re eligible, the Local Area Coordinator will look at
the support you currently receive and how well it’s working for you. Support
might include your family and friends, and mainstream or other community
services. A personalised plan will be developed based on your individual needs
to help you achieve your goals. This will include your existing supports if you
are happy with your arrangements and they meet your needs and goals.

Some things under the NDIS have a different name, and you’ll
see these words appearing in documents and information. For example, in the
NDIS, mental health issues are referred to as ‘psychosocial disability’. Case
management and most of the support you receive from your Support Facilitator is
called ‘support coordination’.

Q. I’m already
receiving disability support from The Benevolent Society. What will happen
under the NDIS?

A. We currently provide a range of mental health and
disability services which are transitioning into the NDIS. We’ll continue to
provide these services under the NDIS and we are working with the NDIA to
ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible. All you have to do is
tell your Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator that you would like us
to be involved in your support package.

We can provide just the same support you are currently
receiving from us – and more if you would like us to! The only difference will
be that instead of us receiving payment for that service from the Government,
we will receive it from you or your representative. This will give you more
choice and control.

Q. What kind of
services can I access with The Benevolent Society under the NDIS?